School News

January 16, 2009

BRIEFS

Health program open to Hardy students

Activate Isle of Wight, sponsored by the Obici Healthcare Foundation at the Luter Family YMCA, is a program for Hardy Elementary students in first through third grade from Jan. 21 to April 2. Space is limited. Children enrolled must participate in a minimum of 90 percent of the classes. Parental consent is required for the 11-week program, which includes fitness testing. This is offered three hours per week, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The YMCA will pick up participants at Hardy when school is dismissed and bring them to the facility. Parents pick children up at the YMCA at 5 p.m. On early release days, children need to be picked up at the YMCA by 3:30 p.m. Free memberships are available to families who are also interested in a similar program.

Registration is required. Contact the YMCA, 259 James St. (365-4060) or Linda at Linda.berling@peninsulaymca.org.

Students shoot a movie about explorers

Driver Elementary School third-graders in Myrtle Kee's class recently created a movie about explorers created from plays written and performed by the students. The students worked cooperatively to conduct research about the explorers, and then incorporated what they learned into a written script.

From there, the students used their imaginations to create their own backdrops and props. As a concluding activity, parents were invited to view a live performance of the students' plays as well as the movie. Call Kee or Mary Ann Rogers, the gifted resource teacher, at 923-4106 to view the movie or for more information.

ACHIEVEMENTS

*John Yeates Middle and Mack Benn Jr. Elementary schools were winners at the recent CHROME 25th Anniversary Celebration, held at the Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton. The CHROME (Cooperating Hampton Roads Organizations for Minorities in Engineering) awards were given for the Outstanding Middle School Club Award and Outstanding Elementary School Club Award. There is only one award given in each category for the 13 localities of South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. These awards are presented to the school clubs that introduce young people having a dream to opportunities in math, science, engineering and technology. The CHROME sponsors and co-sponsors from John Yeates Middle School are Louis Garland, Liston Jackson and Kim Williams. The CHROME sponsors and co-sponsors from Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School are Margaret Dugger, Candice Spencer, Alicia Thomas, Donna Bailey and Melley Rountree. A second set of awards also went to Garland and Dugger. These were given for the Outstanding Middle School Sponsor of the Year, and Outstanding Elementary School Sponsor of the Year. These awards honor a club sponsor who has exhibited exceptional service and dedication.

EVENTS

School closings. Monday. All Isle of Wight, Suffolk and Surry schools and offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Early dismissal. Jan. 22-23. Isle of Wight County Schools will dismiss students early for exams. Middle and high schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m.; elementary schools will let out at 1 p.m. Suffolk schools will have early dismissal Jan. 21-23. Middle and high school students will be let go at 11:45 a.m., and elementary students at 12:45 p.m. Surry County students will have half-days on Jan. 22-23.

Suffolk Teacher Clerical Day. Jan. 26. Middle and high school students will dismiss at 11:45 a.m. Elementary students will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. Only elementary schools will serve lunch. Teachers and other staff will be participating in staff development activities.

State of the Schools Breakfast. 7:30 a.m. Feb. 6, King's Fork High School, 351 King's Fork Road. Business leaders and citizens are invited. The program will include a video presentation and remarks by key school leaders on the successes and challenges facing Suffolk Public Schools. Sponsor: Suffolk Education Foundation. Cost is $15 per person. Make checks payable to the Suffolk Education Foundation, and send them to P.O. Box 394, Suffolk, VA 23439-0394. RSVP by Jan. 30. Details: Tim Copeland, foundation executive director, at 539-1265.

Super Saturday. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 31, Paul D. Camp Community College, 100 N. College Drive, Franklin. College-bound students can get free help in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, the form required by colleges, universities and private career schools to qualify for federal grants and loans. A financial aid workshop and professionals will be included. A $100 Book Scholarship will be awarded at each Super Saturday site to be used at the winner's college of choice during the 2009-10 academic year. Details: Teresa K. Harrison, coordinator; 757-569-6715; tharrison@pc.vccs.edu.